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Travaini G, Caruso P, Cornelli R, Merzagora I, Margherita M, Battistini A. Murder-suicides in Milan: case history from 1990 to 2018. Criminological and medico-legal considerations. Med Leg J 2024; 92:5-14. [PMID: 35695244 DOI: 10.1177/00258172221075072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study reviews autopsies performed by the Legal Medicine department of the University of Milan from 1990 to 2018. In particular, the characteristics of the perpetrator, the victim and the type of existing relationship, the means used, and the place and time of the crime. A retrospective analysis was conducted, extracting data from the Milan Institute of Legal Medicine database, selecting cases of murder-suicide from the archive between 1990 and 2018 (a total of 75 cases with 84 murder victims). Available data was processed statistically. Univariate and bivariate analysis techniques were mainly used. Significance tests (Chi-square) and correlation studies (Pearson's R) were also conducted, the results of which were then examined and discussed in light of legal, medical and criminological expertise.In almost all cases, suicide followed immediately after the murder, at home and in the context of an emotional relationship. The murderer and person committing suicide is almost always male and the victim female. A firearm was the most common weapon in cases of both murder and suicide.The results indicate that the issue of gender is relevant in murder-suicides as indicated by international and national literature on homicides. Furthermore, the use of firearms endorses the importance of limiting their availability through more restrictive laws.
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Dang LN, Kahsay ET, James LN, Johns LJ, Rios IE, Mezuk B. Research utility and limitations of textual data in the National Violent Death Reporting System: a scoping review and recommendations. Inj Epidemiol 2023; 10:23. [PMID: 37161610 PMCID: PMC10170777 DOI: 10.1186/s40621-023-00433-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many studies of injury deaths rely on mortality data that contain limited contextual information about decedents. The National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) is unique among such data systems in that each observation includes both quantitative variables and qualitative texts (called "narratives") abstracted from original source documents. These narratives provide rich data regarding salient circumstances that can be used to inform prevention efforts. This review provides a comprehensive summary of peer-reviewed research using NVDRS narratives over the past 20 years, including the limitations of these texts and provides recommendations on utilizing and improving narrative quality for researchers and practitioners. MAIN BODY Studies that used narratives to examine deaths related to suicide, homicide, undetermined intent, accidental firearm, or legal intervention were identified by a title/abstract screening, followed by a full-text review. The search was conducted on English-language, peer-reviewed literature and government reports published from 2002 to 2022 in PubMed, PsycInfo, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Abstracted elements focused on the methodologies used to analyze the narratives, including approaches to explore potential biases in these texts. Articles were abstracted independently by two reviewers, with disagreements resolved through consensus discussion. During the 20-year period, 111 articles used narratives. Two-thirds studied suicide (n = 48, 43%) and homicides (n = 25, 23%). Most studies analyzed the narratives using manual review (n = 81, 73%) and keyword searches (n = 9, 8%), with only 6 (5%) using machine learning tools. Narratives were mainly used for case finding (n = 49, 44%) and characterization of circumstances around deaths (n = 38, 34%). Common challenges included variability in the narratives and lack of relevant circumstantial details for case characterization. CONCLUSION Although the use of narratives has increased over time, these efforts would be enhanced by detailed abstraction of circumstances with greater salience to injury research and prevention. Moreover, researchers and practitioners would benefit from guidance on integrating narratives with quantitative variables and standardized approaches to address variability in the completeness and length of narratives. Such efforts will increase the reliability of findings and set the stage for more widespread applications of data science methods to these texts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linh N Dang
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Eskira T Kahsay
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - LaTeesa N James
- Taubman Health Sciences Library, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Lily J Johns
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Isabella E Rios
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Briana Mezuk
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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Intimate Partner Violence and Children: Essentials for the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. J Pediatr Health Care 2023; 37:333-346. [PMID: 36682969 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2022.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health problem of epidemic proportions. IPV often starts early in adolescence and continues throughout an individual's lifespan. IPV is defined as abuse or aggression occurring in the context of a romantic relationship that is perpetrated by a current or former partner. IPV victims often experience severe psychological trauma, physical injury, and even death. The direct recipient of the violence is often not the only individual impacted. Children are often peripheral victims of IPV. It is vital that pediatric health care providers, including pediatric nurse practitioners, recognize that IPV is indeed a pediatric health care crisis requiring strategies for both identification and intervention. This continuing education article will discuss IPV and its impact on children from conception to adolescence while exploring implications for practice.
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Graham LM, Kafka JM, AbiNader MA, Lawler SM, Gover-Chamlou AN, Messing JT, Moracco KE. Intimate Partner Violence-Related Fatalities Among U.S. Youth Aged 0-24 Years, 2014-2018. Am J Prev Med 2022; 62:529-537. [PMID: 34876319 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2021.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Little is known about intimate partner violence-related fatalities among young people. This study comprehensively identifies and describes intimate partner violence-related homicides, homicide-suicides, legal intervention deaths, and suicides among young people. METHODS Data from the 2014-2018 National Violent Death Reporting System were analyzed for all decedents aged 0-24 years in 38 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico with known circumstances of death (n=29,702). Intimate partner violence-related deaths were identified using National Violent Death Reporting System variables across all manners of death and supplementary narrative review for suicides. This article reports the proportion of intimate partner violence versus non-intimate partner violence-related deaths by manner of death, descriptive statistics, and rate of intimate partner violence-related death per 100,000 person years. To examine disparities in intimate partner violence-related deaths, generalized estimating equations were used with robust standard errors to account for clustering of deaths within states and fixed effects for years. Statistical analyses were conducted May and August 2021. RESULTS A total of 1,927 intimate partner violence-related deaths were identified, which represents 6.5% of violent deaths with known circumstances, at a rate of 0.35 per 100,000 person years. Supplementary narrative review identified 44.7% of all intimate partner violence-related deaths. There were significant differences by race/ethnicity and whether a firearm inflicted the fatal injury for male and female decedents by manner of death. CONCLUSIONS If the National Violent Death Reporting System does not assess whether intimate partner violence was a precipitating factor across all death manners, the true magnitude of intimate partner violence's contribution to violent death will be underestimated. Future research that identifies factors associated with all manners of intimate partner violence-related deaths among young people will help inform intervention and prevention strategies to save young lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie M Graham
- School of Social Work, The University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Julie M Kafka
- Department of Health Behavior, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; UNC Injury Prevention Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Millan A AbiNader
- Penn School of Social Policy & Practice, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Siobhan M Lawler
- School of Social Work, Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona
| | | | - Jill T Messing
- School of Social Work, Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona; Office of Gender-Based Violence, School of Social Work, Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Kathryn E Moracco
- Department of Health Behavior, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; UNC Injury Prevention Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Ragavan MI, Barral RL, Randell KA. Addressing Adolescent Relationship Abuse in the Context of Reproductive Health Care. Semin Reprod Med 2022; 40:146-154. [PMID: 34996120 PMCID: PMC9885502 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1741519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Adolescent relationship abuse (ARA) is a significant public health issue that includes physical, sexual, psychological and cyber abuse, reproductive coercion, and/or sexual exploitation within an intimate relationship in which one or both partners is a minor. ARA is associated with numerous negative outcomes that include all domains of health. Many negative outcomes of ARA are related to reproductive and sexual health (RSH); thus, reproductive health care providers must be equipped to recognize and address ARA. This article will review the epidemiology and outcomes of ARA, followed by a discussion of means to robustly address ARA in health care settings. We recommend a strengths-based approach that promotes healthy adolescent relationships, connects adolescents experiencing ARA to harm reduction resources, and equips adolescents to serve as a resource for their peers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya I. Ragavan
- Division of General Academic Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh/Children’s Hospital Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Romina L. Barral
- Division of Adolescent Medicine, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA; University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, USA; University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Kimberly A. Randell
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Children’s Mercy Kansas City; University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, USA; University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS, USA
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Sun Q, Zhou J, Guo H, Gou N, Lin R, Huang Y, Guo W, Wang X. Incomplete homicide-suicide in Hunan China from 2010 to 2019: characteristics of surviving perpetrators. BMC Psychiatry 2021; 21:577. [PMID: 34789183 PMCID: PMC8596831 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-021-03574-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mental and psychological conditions of the individuals involved in homicide followed by suicide (H-S) are still unclear, especially in China. Information on these aspects cannot be accurately obtained due to the death of perpetrators. This study aims to demonstrate the characteristics of incomplete H-S with surviving perpetrators, which provide the possibility to obtain detailed mental and psychological information. METHODS This study explores incomplete H-S events occurred in Hunan, China from 2010 to 2019, in which the surviving perpetrators received a forensic psychiatric assessment. Three aspects of information, i.e., the subject's demographic, clinical and criminal information, were recorded and analysed. RESULTS 125 incomplete H-S incidents involved 166 victims were found in the current study. A total of 112 (89.6%) perpetrators were diagnosed with mental disorders, but only 56 of them had a history of consultation due to mental problems, and only one of them adhered to treatment. In most cases, the motivation is related to the psychopathological states, with the most common diagnosis being major depression, followed by schizophrenia. Gender difference was significant among the subjects: females were more likely to have a suicidal history, to be diagnosed as major depression and to be motivated by delirious altruism and family problems. CONCLUSIONS This study indicated that psychopathology might be a predisposing factor, which highlighted the importance of mental state assessment for the population involved in incomplete H-S. A clearer understanding of the role of mental disorders might be helpful for the intervention of H-S.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoling Sun
- grid.452708.c0000 0004 1803 0208Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorder, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Renming Road 139, Changsha, 410011 Hunan Prov. China
| | - Jiansong Zhou
- grid.452708.c0000 0004 1803 0208Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorder, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Renming Road 139, Changsha, 410011 Hunan Prov. China
| | - Huijuan Guo
- grid.452708.c0000 0004 1803 0208Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorder, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Renming Road 139, Changsha, 410011 Hunan Prov. China
| | - Ningzhi Gou
- grid.452708.c0000 0004 1803 0208Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorder, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Renming Road 139, Changsha, 410011 Hunan Prov. China
| | - Ruoheng Lin
- grid.452708.c0000 0004 1803 0208Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorder, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Renming Road 139, Changsha, 410011 Hunan Prov. China
| | - Ying Huang
- grid.452708.c0000 0004 1803 0208Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorder, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Renming Road 139, Changsha, 410011 Hunan Prov. China
| | - Weilong Guo
- grid.452708.c0000 0004 1803 0208Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorder, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Renming Road 139, Changsha, 410011 Hunan Prov. China
| | - Xiaoping Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorder, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Renming Road 139, Changsha, 410011, Hunan Prov., China.
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Zimmermann M, Tsokos M. Typology of murder-suicides in Berlin according to a longitudinal study based on autopsy files. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2021; 17:247-253. [PMID: 33564976 PMCID: PMC7872115 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-021-00360-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Murder-suicides are defined as the murder of at least one person and the suicide of the offender following the murder. The intention to commit suicide must be primary. In most cases, a male offender kills a female victim after a separation. The current analysis was the first analysis of the typology of murder-suicides in Berlin. We analyzed the autopsy files of the Institute for Forensic Medicine of the Charité University Medicine Berlin and of the City Institute for Forensic Medicine Berlin. We performed descriptive and statistical analyses of cases between 2005 and 2013. We identified 17 murder-suicides. All 17 offenders were male, and 20 of the victims (90%) were female. The offenders used firearms in the majority of the cases. In seven cases, the victims and offenders were at least 80 years old. The average age of the offenders was 63 years. Disease was the motive in 6 cases involving older offenders. Our study might support the development of prevention strategies. In this regard, it is important to build a database for murder-suicides in Germany and other countries, to formulate a uniform definition of murder-suicide, to carry out nationwide interdisciplinary studies on this topic and to improve the existing health care structures, especially for older adults and people with depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan Zimmermann
- Center of Neurology, Department of Neurodegeneration and Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, 72074, Tübingen, Germany. .,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), University of Tuebingen, 72074, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Michael Tsokos
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117, Berlin, Germany.,City Institute for Forensic Medicine, Berlin, Germany
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